When Art Rises: Living in Cin: (A Twisted Interracial High School Love Triangle)

by Lorrain Allen

  “I swear if this wasn’t your mom’s party, I would knock his eyeballs right out of his head.”

  “It’s not a big deal.”

  “Yes, it fucking is. He’s always watching you, like you’re a big, juicy steak.” Trevor pops a fried catfish nugget into his mouth.

  “In a few more months, we’ll never see him again.”

  Those words cause a pinging sensation in my chest.

  “Has he ever tried to fuck you?”

  “No. Don’t be stupid.” I’m surprised I don’t look like Pinocchio by now.

  “Don’t lie to me.”

  “He hasn’t.”

  He stares at me so long I think he’s going to press the issue. “I’m going to get some more food. Do you want anything?”

  “No.”

  Firstly, even if I wanted to end it with Art, he wouldn’t let me. Secondly, avoiding him would be impossible since we live in the same house. Lastly, I know this makes me lower than dirt, but I’m not ready to end it with him. I want them both.

  “Have you seen Lilah?” Katrina asks as she walks towards me.

  “Not for some time. Do you need help with something?”

  “Can you be a darling and grab your mother’s birthday gift from the main house for me?”

  “Sure. Where is it?”

  “I left it on top of the dresser in my bedroom. You can’t miss it.”

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.”

  I could use a bit of fresh air and a reprieve from Art’s piercing gaze, so I gladly leave the guesthouse. When I step through the front door of the main house, hands latch onto my breasts from behind and warm lips brush along my neck. The door is slammed shut.

  “Art,” I moan.

  “The moment I saw you in this dress, I wanted to bend you over and fuck the shit out of you,” he whispers in my ear.

  One hand leaves my breast to seize my hair, positioning my head to receive his plundering tongue—his other hand ventures between my legs to grip my heat through the dress. He steers me towards the sofa where he bends me over the back. My pussy quivers in anticipation when he lifts the dress over my ass and tugs my panties to my knees. His belt buckle slaps against my bottom as he undoes his pants.

  I squeeze the soft cushions of the sofa, my eyes fluttering close when the thick mushroom head of his dick opens my hungry cunt. In and out, he works his massive length until he impales me completely. All thought leaves my mind when he goes postal on my pussy, rapidly delivering powerful strokes with enough force to move the sofa up the carpet. With each thrust forward, he jerks my hips back to meet his punishing blows. I tether on the edge of oblivion before finally falling into ecstasy. My limbs turn to liquid and I slide to the floor. Art follows, his hardness still buried in my pussy. His muscular chest molds to my back, pushing my body into the plush carpet as he continues the relentless assault. Art shouts, reaching his climax.

  “Sinking inside you makes me believe in heaven on earth.” He kisses my ear.

  “Eu te amo.” I bite my tongue.

  “What did you say?”

  “Nothing.”

  “I fucking knew it.” Lilah stands in the doorway with a murderous expression on her face.

  Shit, it’s all over. What the hell was I thinking having sex with Art in the middle of my aunt’s living room?

  “Slut,” she sneers.

  Art pushes to his feet, putting his dick back in his pants, then helps me up.

  “Why stop at one cousin, when you can have them both?”

  Whatever Art was expecting, it sure as hell wasn’t what Lilah just said. His expression turns thunderous.

  “What the fuck is she talking about?”

  “Oh, she didn’t tell you about her and Josh?”

  “Lilah, don’t.”

  “Tell me,” Art demands.

  “They hooked up.”

  “Is that true?”

  “I can explain.”

  “You can fucking explain?” he booms, startling me.

  “Art—”

  “Did you fuck the rest of the gang, too?”

  “Fucking bastard,” I say.

  “I can’t believe you did this, Cin,” Lilah says, turning to leave.

  “Lilah, wait! Please don’t tell Trevor!”

  “Fuck you, bitch.”

  Art jerks away when I make a grab for him as he moves past me. His hand latches onto my throat, crushing my windpipe.

  “Keep your goddamn hands off me. No wonder you gave it to me so easily. You probably spread your legs for every boy who wants to fuck.”

  He flings me back and I hit the floor, landing on my wrist. By the time I recover and make it outside, Art is already traveling down the road on his motorcycle. I clutch my throbbing wrist to my stomach, racing to the guesthouse, fearing Lilah already exposed my secret to Trevor.

  “Cin, where have you been? Ricky is about to propose,” Katrina asks.

  “Have you seen Lilah and Trevor?”

  “They’re around here somewhere.” She looks at my hands. “Where’s the gift?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t see it.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t seem fine.”

  The music goes silent.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” Ricky announces.

  Katrina squeals in delight. “It’s about to happen.”

  “I want to thank all of you for helping me make the special lady in my life’s birthday celebration a success.” Ricky grabs my mom’s hand. “Having you by my side for the last few years has added value to my life. I want you with me, always.” He gets down on one knee.

  The room erupts in excited shouts. She covers her mouth and tears start flowing from her eyes. The joyous moment is clouded by the shitstorm on the horizon. I look to the left, spotting Lilah and Trevor talking.

  Oh my God.

  Trevor’s eyes connect with mine, causing my heart to thunder in my chest. It feels like I’m about to hurl as he approaches, studying my face intently.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “What were you talking about with Lilah?”

  “The party, this is awesome.”

  She didn’t tell him. Maybe her plan is to blackmail me. “Congratulations” resound through the room. Damn, I missed the end of the proposal. Ricky and my mom hold each other in a tight embrace.

  “Yeah, she did an amazing job.”

  “You look pale and you’re sweating.”

  “I’m not feeling like myself. I’m going to go home and get some rest.”

  “I’ll drive you.”

  “No, I have to get my car home.”

  “You shouldn’t be driving. I’ll make sure it’s dropped off later.”

  “I’m okay. I just need to lie down for a bit.”

  “I can’t let you—”

  “I’m going to be fine. I want you to stay and have a good time.”

  “All right, Ms. Independent, but only on one condition.”

  I nod.

  “Text me when you get home.”

  “Deal.”

  “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “I’m not a baby. Trust me, I can manage.”

  “Fine, I’ll check on you tomorrow.” He gives me a peck on the lips.

  “Tell my mom I wasn’t feeling well if she asks about me. With all the excitement, she probably won’t notice I’m gone.”

  “Sure thing babe.”

  I move towards the door on fast feet, but Lilah steps in my path.

  “Leaving so soon?”

  “Why didn’t you tell?”

  “You’ll fall flat on your face soon enough, and I’ll be there to watch the aftermath.”

  “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

  “Spare me the ‘it was a mistake’ bullshit. How long have you been cheating on Trevor? I know this isn’t the first time. Art loves you
. I saw it in the way he watched you tonight.”

  Could there be some truth to what she’s saying? Does Art love me?

  “You have no idea what Art is going through. I just wanted to help him.”

  “By fucking him? How is that working out?”

  There’s nothing I can say to defend my actions.

  “You knew I liked him this whole time. I must have been a joke to both of you.”

  “No, that’s not true. I never intended to hurt you. I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m so tired of everyone praising you. The perfect daughter and the fucking perfect niece. I was so happy when you moved here, but soon enough I wished you gone.”

  “So, this is how you really feel about me?”

  “I’ve liked Trevor since junior high school and just when he started noticing me, you came along.”

  “That’s not fair. You never told me you had a thing for him.”

  “Would it have mattered?”

  “Yes.”

  “It didn’t matter to you about Art. Anyway, I didn’t want to seem like a pathetic, needy bitch.”

  “Let’s go back to the house and talk.”

  “No. Home will never be the same, not after what I witnessed in the living room. At least now I know why Art never gave Bri or me the time of day.”

  “I…” I have no idea what to say.

  “You have two boys who love you, when I’ve never had one.”

  “We can get past this. We’ll always be cousins.”

  “Not by choice.” She walks away.

  I was surprised to see Art’s motorcycle parked outside when I got home. I thought in his anger, he would spend a few hours riding to calm down. I stayed in the car for a good twenty minutes before I worked up the nerve to go inside.

  “Art,” I call through his door.

  “If you know what’s good for you, you would get the hell away from my door and stay away from me. If you don’t, I swear to God, I’ll hurt you.”

  “I just want to explain.”

  A loud bang sounds at the door. “Leave!”

  “I’m not leaving until you talk to me.”

  A furious Art swings the door open. His heaving chest is covered in blood from new cuts.

  “What did you do to yourself?”

  I scream when he throws me into the wall and grasp my jaw in a painful hold. His nails pierce my skin. His eyes are wild and foam drips from his mouth. For the first time, I’m actually afraid of him. I should’ve left well enough alone, given him a few days to get his temper under control.

  “You just don’t know when to fucking quit.”

  “Listen—”

  “I’m not interested in anything you have to say!”

  I whimper when his hold gets tighter.

  “From now on, you’re going to stay the fuck away from me. When you see me coming, turn the other way. This is the only warning I’m going to give you.”

  He releases me then goes back into his bedroom, slamming the door shut. I run my fingers along the torn flesh of my jaw, smearing blood on them. The truth isn’t as bad as it seems, but he won’t listen. I lock myself in my bedroom for the remainder of the night. This is probably for the best. I knew it would come to an end eventually.

  The last week and a half has been a nightmare. The tension at home and school is making me a nervous wreck. I’ve been staying in my bedroom for the most part, and if I happen upon Art alone, I quickly turn the other way. Art stays in his bedroom too, even refusing to come out to dinner, but it’s impossible to completely avoid the people you live with. Ricky had to intervene on several occasions to prevent Art and Josh from fighting. Everyone is curious about what caused the rift between Lilah and me, but I’ve kept my mouth shut. Lilah and Art have done the same. I can understand her reasoning, but I can’t fathom why he hasn’t let the cat out of the bag. Maybe, like Lilah, he’s waiting for me to fall flat on my face.

  It’s hard to concentrate in first period. I’m afraid Art will suddenly change his mind about not talking, but he sits at his desk, not sparing Trevor or me a glance. He ignores me in trigonometry too. I wish he would let me explain, but I haven’t tried to talk to him since that night, because frankly, he scared the shit out of me. Even Bri gave up on him after he told her to fuck off in the hall last week for all present to hear. The severe hit to her ego won’t allow her to seek him again. My eyes steadily roam towards the classroom door, but Art never comes to first period. I don’t know whether to be happy or concerned. Later, I spot him talking to Bane while walking to the cafeteria with Anneli. Why is he talking to him?

  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

  “I already told you, nothing.”

  “And the sky is green,” Anneli says.

  “Really? I thought it was yellow.”

  “Don’t lie to me, Cin. It must be pretty bad since Lilah stopped coming to sit with us at lunch.”

  “I’m not in the mood to talk about this.”

  “We’re best friends. I thought you trusted me.”

  “I do.”

  “Does it have anything to do with Art?”

  “You mean a lot to me. I couldn’t ask for a better person in my corner, but I’m not ready to tell you about everything I’ve done.”

  “Okay. No pressure—whenever you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here.”

  She’ll help me pick up the pieces when I find the courage to tell her everything. Anneli and I grab two slices of cheese pizza each before heading to the table. I glance around the large space, looking for Art.

  “I cannot wait until the school year is over so I can be free of him,” Josh says.

  “You said after the fight, you two had an understanding. What changed?” Dex pops a few fries in his mouth.

  “I thought so too. I’m really trying not to be an ass to him today, especially since it’s his brother’s birthday.”

  “You should’ve said something sooner,” I say.

  “Why?”

  “Use your brain, for God’s sake. He shouldn’t be alone today.” Anneli rolls her eyes.

  “He didn’t come to class this morning,” Trevor adds.

  Josh pales a little. “He’s home alone since Missy and my dad are making deliveries today. You don’t think he would…”

  “I saw him in the hall a few minutes ago,” I assure everyone. “He probably needed a little time to get himself together this morning, that’s all.”

  My heart is telling me to seek him out and offer comfort, but my mind knows he’ll reject support from me. I’ll try to talk to him in class this afternoon, his reaction be damned. I can’t let him hurt alone.

  It’s been almost twenty-five minutes since trigonometry class started, but still Art hasn’t arrived. I can’t shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. Did he go back home? Why did he come to school just to talk to Bane?

  I raise my hand.

  “Yes?”

  “Can I go to the bathroom?”

  “Come get the hall pass.”

  I head straight for Bane’s hideout spot. He’s notorious for cutting class. I enter the vacant classroom on the ground level. Bane sits on a desk, watching his friends shoot dice. Beer bottles litter the floor. I don’t understand why they come to school at all.

  “Looky what we have here.” Jesse stands from his crouched position. “Not my usual type. Too damn skinny, but I’ll make an exception.”

  “Back off, you know that’s Trevor’s girl.” Bane puffs on his cigarette. “I don’t need to be on his shit list.”

  “I’m not afraid of her pussy ass boyfriend or stepbrother.” He twirls my hair around his finger.

  I elbow him in the stomach. “You can look, but no touching.”

  His friends laugh.

  “Burn, Jesse,” I hear one of them say.

  “Fucking bitch,” he snarls, clasping my arm.

  “I told you to leave her alone.”

  Jesse looks me up and down, then resumes the game with his f
riends.

  “What do you want? I didn’t think you would be the type to ever seek me out.”

  “I saw you talking to Art earlier.”

  “The last time I checked, the US of A is a free country, giving me the right to talk to whomever the fuck I want.”

  “What did he want?”

  “What kind of supplier would I be if I went around breaching customer confidentiality?”

  “Did you sell him drugs?” Art should never have been left alone today.

  “You’re sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. It’s time for you to leave,” Bane says.

  “You don’t realize what you’ve done.” I race from the classroom.

  Art has to be stopped before it’s too late. I run towards the nearest exit as fast as my feet will carry me and hop in my car. Pressing down on the gas pedal, I speed out of the parking lot.

  Racing inside the house, I make a beeline for Art’s bedroom. I don’t want to alert him to my arrival, so I’m sure to keep quiet, but he’s not there. Next, I go to the dining room and that’s where I find Art, sitting at the table with a few lines of cocaine before him. He has a bill rolled in the shape of a straw, preparing to snort the addictive drug.

  “Art, no!” I shout, sweeping my hand across the table to scatter the powder onto the floor.

  “Bitch!” He hops from the chair, pushing me to the floor. “What have you done?”

  “I can’t let you go down that dark path again. I know it’s your brother’s birthday, but there are other ways to cope. Let me help you.” I plead with him to understand.

  “Fuck! I needed that!” He rakes his hands through his hair. “You’re fucking dead.”

  Sensing I’m in mortal danger, self-preservation takes over and I jump to my feet. Art chases me around the table. I stop when he does and watch him from the other side.

  “By tomorrow morning, you would’ve hated yourself if I hadn’t stopped you.”

  “I already hate myself.” He leaps onto the table.

  Screaming, I swiftly turn on my heel and barrel through the door leading to the kitchen. I don’t make it far before Art grabs my hair, wrenching me back. Twisting around, I sink my teeth into his arm then break away when his hold loosens. I run through the house, afraid to take the time to unlock the front door to make good on my escape with Art only steps behind. He grabs my left ankle as I take two stairs at a time, causing me to fall with a jolt. Fight replaces flight, and I kick out my right leg, hitting him in the face. Though he stumbles a little, he recovers within seconds, the kick having little effect on him. Still, I’m given a slight advantage. That’s all I need to make it safely to my bedroom where I can lock the door and hide out until someone comes home. I make it to my safe haven, swinging the door forward, but it’s too late. Art stops the door from closing, flinging it back open with enough force that I’m struck in the face. I fall to the floor, shouting out in pain.